Richard Szecsy, P.E., PhD, one of the best traveled executives and experts in Texas concrete production and broader technical circles, has been named chief executive officer of Big Town Concrete, a ready mixed producer with Dallas and Fort Worth plants. He arrives with 25-plus years in management, operations, safety, environmental, quality control and engineering roles at Alamo Concrete Products, (pre-SRM Concrete) Charley’s Concrete, Texas Concrete & Aggregates Association, and (pre-Holcim US) Lattimore Materials.
Active in National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, American Concrete Institute, ASTM International and American Society of Civil Engineers board and committee matters, he is a widely recognized authority on concrete construction, technology and sustainability attributes. He heads the Big Town Concrete leadership team of CFO Mickey Schoenhals; Vice President, Operations Jeff Murray; Vice President, Sales, and Business Development Richard Martin; Director, Quality Control Mike Garcia; Director, Human Resources Nova Albers; and, Director of Operations Steve Morris. Szecsy holds Texas A&M University bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering and earned his PhD from the University of Illinois.
Washington-based Wilbert Precast Inc. Chief Executive Officer Dan Houk has stepped aside from day-to-day duties, passing the baton to son T.J. Houk while retaining the chairman of the board post. The underground and utility precast producer has grown from one plant and 17 employees in 1981 to three plants and 140 employees since Dan Houk joined his father, William J. Houk, to help with the family business. The latter had run Wilbert Precast for 20 years, transforming it from a three-man shop, partly on the strength of a Wilbert burial vault production license. From 1906 through the post-war years, W.J. Houk’s grandfather and father had set the table for future generations, operating under such brands as Spokane Valley Vault Co. Wilbert Precast now enjoys a strong Pacific Northwest market presence through Spokane and Yakima, Wash. and Lewiston, Idaho operations.
A Gonzaga University accounting and finance graduate and Society of Actuaries member, T.J. Houk assumes the helm with more than a decade in the corporate world. “He is well suited to taking the company from this point to a new level. He has a strong respect for and a good relationship with the employees that helped with our growth and success,” says Dan Houk, whose industry roles beyond Wilbert Precast have included 2010-11 and 1994 terms as National Precast Concrete Association chairman and Inland Pacific Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors president.
The family business leadership transition affords him time for mentoring the Wilbert Precast team and joining his wife to extend their 15 years of mission work in Sawla, Ghana. Their semiannual trips to the West Africa nation, coupled with fundraising efforts, have spawned a private Christian school plus a small hotel and community event center whose proceeds support local students’ higher education pursuits. The Houk family promotes community support through the International Assistance Program’s Sawla Project, www.iassist.org.
Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete wrapped up a three-week summer promotion, “Concretes for a Cause,” last month with restauranteur Culver’s of Northwest Indiana. For every concrete mixer dessert sold on Saturdays at seven participating restaurants, Ozinga RMC and Culver’s each pledged $1 to Sheltered91, an organization dedicated to assisting victims and survivors of human trafficking. The Culver’s restaurants offered four special flavors aligned with Ozinga’s iconic red and white striped concrete trucks: Chocolate Strawberry Parfait, Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Double Strawberry and Red Raspberry.
“We are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” says President Justin Ozinga. “Human trafficking is a pervasive issue, and we believe in supporting organizations like Sheltered91 that are on the front lines, providing critical aid and resources directly to survivors.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Ozinga on this opportunity to support the community and cause,” adds Culver’s of NW Indiana owner John Terpstra. “This partnership is one small way we can help raise awareness and funds for Sheltered91, allowing them to continue their vital work.”
CRH Americas Materials has closed a deal for Ary Corp., a Canon City, Colo. operator bringing nine ready mixed concrete, more than 25 sand & gravel, plus five fixed and two portable asphalt plants, along with paving and construction services businesses. “The acquisition expands our existing footprint in Colorado and presents attractive opportunities for development and growth,” says CRH Americas Materials President Scott Parson. “As North America’s leading integrated supplier of aggregates, asphalt, ready mixed concrete and construction services, we look forward to serving customers in Colorado with our unique combination of building materials, products and solutions.”
Heidelberg Materials North America has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Highway Materials Inc., one of the largest independent aggregates and asphalt producers in the Greater Philadelphia market. The deal includes four crushed stone quarries, nine hot-mix asphalt plants, two clean fill operations, a concrete recycling facility, a construction services business and a 350-plus payroll. “The addition of the Highway Materials business, with its broad range of products and more than 80 years of history in Pennsylvania, is a great opportunity to strengthen the company’s aggregate reserves in this core market while also growing our recycling operations,” Heidelberg Materials NA Northeast Region President Matteo Rozzanigo.
The agreement was announced shortly after Heidelberg Materials acquired Victory Rock, a producer of high-quality aggregates for concrete and asphalt with two well-positioned quarries in the greater Texas Triangle. Separately, the producer closed on the assets of Aaron Materials, a Corpus Christi, Texas area operator offering volumetric ready mixed concrete and stabilized materials, plus concrete recycling services. “The acquisition further strengthens our existing materials footprint in Texas and accelerates our focus on recycled concrete and circular solutions,” says Heidelberg Materials Southwest Region President Chris Hobby. “We are excited about growing our recycled concrete offerings and better meeting the increasing demand for circular solutions in this attractive market.”
Holcim US has expanded its Mid-Atlantic market presence in a deal for King William Sand & Gravel Co. Inc., whose King William County, Va. plant serves the area around Richmond, state capital. “King William Sand & Gravel has strong roots in its community, including relationships with key players in the construction industry who are working to transform the Mid-Atlantic region’s roads, infrastructure and buildings,” says Holcim Mid-Atlantic Region Senior Vice President Sridhar Goteti. “Their strengths will complement our supply and distribution segments and help us meet the growing demand for sustainable building solutions within this dynamic market.”
“Acquisitions that complement our strengths and expand our reach are a major part of Holcim US’ growth strategy,” adds Holcim North America Region Head Toufic Tabbara. “By welcoming King William Sand & Gravel, we’ll become an even stronger aggregates leader to meet our customers’ needs in the expanding Richmond and central Virginia area.” The transaction complements the producer’s footprint in Virginia and Maryland, which include 30-plus sand & gravel, crushed stone and ready mixed concrete operations.
Knife River Corp. in Bismarck, N.D., has appointed Patricia Chiodo to its board of directors, serving on Audit and Compensation committees. She arrives with extensive financial expertise, most recently serving as CFO of Verra Mobility Corp. She held that same post with RSC Holdings, construction and industrial equipment rental specialist. She currently serves on the Audit Committee for UNS Energy Corp. and previously served in that same capacity with Embark Technology, Inc.
“Tricia is an accomplished business leader with experience in corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, risk management and capital markets,” says Knife River Chair Karen Fagg. “When we chose to expand the board and add another independent director, we were looking for someone with Tricia’s combination of financial expertise, experience with public companies and proven skills as a team builder. She is a great addition to the board, and we look forward to working with her as we continue to grow Knife River.”
Giant Cement Holding Inc. has promoted Michael Greto to vice president of Supply Chain, building on a track record in logistical capabilities since joining the Houston-based producer’s cement division in 2008. He spearheaded the startup of the maritime vessel unloader, known as the “Dragon Lady,” which seamlessly manages the unloading of nearly 300,000 tons of imported cement annually. His expertise in logistics is founded in a bachelor’s degree in transportation economics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and complemented by Advanced Studies APICS Certifications in supply chain management from Villanova University.
“As the company continues to expand its import operations, Mike’s leadership will ensure we are well-positioned to support our growing customer base,” says Giant Cement Holding CEO Tim Kuebler. “His proactive approach and strategic acumen are essential in navigating the complex challenges of global supply chains.”
Alcrete LLC of Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. has expanded its reach in utility or underground precast with the acquisition of Carter Concrete Products LLC. Founded in the 1930s and presently operating on 17 acres in Boaz, Ky., the company has been led by four generations of the Carter family. “Alcrete placed a high value on the legacy of what we have built and will seek to expand upon this foundation,” says President Bruce Carter. “It is a great opportunity for our employees to join a growing organization at Alcrete.”
“We believe in the growth potential of Carter Concrete Products and value the Carter family legacy,” affirms Alcrete CEO Justin Norman. “The plant location will allow Alcrete to reach the surrounding geographic markets in western Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee.”
Carter Concrete follows the acquisition of American Concrete Industries Inc. in Ft. Pierce, Fla. earlier this year. The transactions significantly expanded Alcrete’s footprint beyond existing Alabama and North Carolina precast plants.
CarbiCrete, Montreal developer of supplementary cementitious materials and processes lowering the carbon dioxide emissions associated with finished concrete, has appointed Francis Pomerleau to its board of directors. He is a veteran of the construction industry, with over 30 years of experience driving growth and innovation in business development, government relations and reputation management positions. “CarbiCrete has the potential to be a game changer in the construction sector,” observes Pomerleau. “Our industry is in the process of becoming more sustainable and CarbiCrete provides a solution to achieve this goal.”
“Francis’s vast experience and deep understanding of the construction industry will prove invaluable as we enter the next stage of growth with increased deployment of our solution to decarbonizing the built environment,” adds CarbiCrete CEO Jacob Homiller.